Establishing Dictatorship

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Von Papen and Hindenburg’s Secret Pact

In 1932, the Nazis gained political power in the Reichstag. But the Reichstag had no stable leadership.

The rise of the Nazis

In 1932, the Nazis gained political power in the Reichstag. But the Reichstag had no stable leadership.
- Between April and December, there were three different Chancellors. Brüning, von Papen and von Schleicher.

Von Papen's secret pact

Von Papen, supported by the DNVP, and Hindenburg secretly met with wealthy industrialists and powerful politicians.
- They decided that Hitler and his 196 Nazi politicians should be used to create a political majority.
- They decided to make Hitler the new Chancellor, let him have a few Nazis in his cabinet and make von Papen the vice-chancellor.

Aim of the pact

They hoped that they would be able to use Hitler as a 'puppet leader', as the Soviet Union did in satellite states during the Cold War, whilst using Hitler's popularity for their benefit.
- They seriously underestimated Hitler’s power. Hitler was too charismatic (able to influence people) and popular to be controlled by von Papen and Hindenburg.
In January 1933, Hitler was made Chancellor.

Rise of the Dictatorship

Once in power, the Nazis first set out to make Germany a dictatorship. They did this by eliminating (getting rid of) political opposition and securing Hitler’s authority (power).

The Reichstag Fire

On the 27th February 1933, the Reichstag was burned down.
- The Nazis blamed a Dutch communist called Marinus van der Lubbe.
This allowed Hitler to pass an Emergency Decree, which suspended the Weimar constitution.
Thousands of communists were arrested after the Reichstag Fire.
German election day was on the 5th of March 1933, 1 week after the Reichstag Fire and the arrest of thousands of communists. Fear of communist uprising had never been higher.

The 1933 German Election

The Nazi Party won 43.9% in the 1933 election. The DNVP won 7.9% of the votes.
In the Weimar system of Proportional Representation, a coalition of parties needed over 50% to rule.
The Nazi-DNVP coalition had 51.9%.

The Enabling Act

On the 23rd of March 1933, Hitler proposed the Enabling Act.
- This meant that Hitler could make laws without the Reichstag.
The Reichstag (parliament) supported the Enabling Act by 444 votes to 94, with Hitler's SA threatening opposition MPs and politicians fearful of voting against a majority government and 'the people's will'.
After the Enabling Act, the Reichstag (parliament) could no longer stop Hitler.
- Germany was no longer a democracy.

Elimination of political opposition - single party state in Germany

On the 14th of July 1933, all political parties were banned apart from the Nazi Party.
- After this, all political opposition was removed.

Trade unions in Nazi Germany

In May 1933, trade union leaders were arrested and sent to concentration camps.
After this, all trade unions were officially banned and all workers were forced to join the German Labour Front (DAF).

1Dictatorship

1.1Hitler & The Nazi Party in 1933

1.1.1The Origins of the Nazi Party

1.1.2Hitler & The Growth of the Party

1.1.3The 1932 Election

1.2Establishing Dictatorship, 1933-1934

1.2.1Establishing Dictatorship

1.2.2Achieving Total Power, July 1933 - August 1934

1.2.3End of Topic Test - Dictatorship

1.2.4Grade 9 - Dictatorship

2Control & Opposition

2.1The Machinery of Terror

2.1.1Police State & Legal System

2.1.2The Gestapo & SS

2.1.3Concentration Camps

2.1.4End of Topic Test - Control & Opposition

2.2Nazi Propaganda

2.2.1The Effectiveness of Nazi Propaganda

2.3Opposition to Nazi Rule

2.3.1The Left

2.3.2Church Leaders

2.3.3Youth Groups

2.3.4Support for Nazi Rule

2.3.5End of Topic Test - Propaganda & Opposition

2.3.6Grade 9 - Propaganda & Opposition

3Changing Lives, 1933-1939

3.1Work & Home

3.1.1Work

3.1.2Home

3.2The Lives of Young People

3.2.1Education

3.2.2Youth Movements

3.3Nazi Racial Policy

3.3.1Racial Policy

3.3.2Persecution of the Jews

3.3.3End of Topic Test 0 Changing Lives

3.3.4Grade 9 - Changing Lives

4Germany in War

4.1The Impact of War

4.1.1Impact of the War Economy on the People

4.1.2Impact of Total War on the People

4.2Growing Opposition from the German People

4.2.1Opposition from the People

4.2.2Opposition from the Army

4.2.3End of Topic Test - Germany in War

4.2.4Grade 9 - Germany in War

5Occupation

5.1Nazi Rule in Eastern and Western Europe

5.1.1The Start of World War 2

5.1.2Western Europe

5.1.3Eastern Europe

5.1.4End of Topic Test - Occupation

5.2The Final Solution

5.2.1Ghettos & Executions

5.2.2Death Camps

5.2.3End of Topic Test - The Final Solution

5.3Responses to Nazi Rule

5.3.1Collaboration

5.3.2Accommodation

5.3.3Resistance

5.3.4End of Topic Test - Responses to Nazi Rule

5.3.5Grade 9 - Occupation

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